Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Isaac Shelby (1750-1826)
Frontiersman and Revolutionary War Leader
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019
1. Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) Marker
Inscription.
Isaac Shelby (1750-1826). Frontiersman and Revolutionary War Leader. Colonel Isaac Shelby was a leader of frontier American forces resisting British rule. British officer Patrick Ferguson was aware of Shelby's presence in the area and sent out a warning, if the rebels did not desist in their opposition to British arms, he would march over the mountains, hang them and lay their country waste with fire and sword. Shelby immediately notified fellow militia leader John Sevier at the Watauga settlements and the two organized a volunteer force from North Carolina, present day Tennessee, and Virginia to launch a surprise attack on Ferguson and his men. They used the rally cry "catch Ferguson." Shelby played a crucial role in expediting their rapid Overmountain March across the Blue Ridge to rendezvous with additional militia from the Carolinas and Georgia. In the resulting Battle of Kings Mountain, October 7, 1780, American riflemen killed Ferguson which resulted in the surrender of his men. The battle played an important role leading up to the latter stages of the Revolution, setting in motion a chain of events that led to American Victory at Yorktown in 1781.
Colonel Isaac Shelby was a leader of frontier American forces resisting British rule. British officer Patrick Ferguson was aware of Shelby's presence in the area and sent out a warning, if the rebels did not desist in their opposition to British arms, he would march over the mountains, hang them and lay their country waste with fire and sword. Shelby immediately notified fellow militia leader John Sevier at the Watauga settlements and the two organized a volunteer force from North Carolina, present day Tennessee, and Virginia to launch a surprise attack on Ferguson and his men. They used the rally cry "catch Ferguson." Shelby played a crucial role in expediting their rapid Overmountain March across the Blue Ridge to rendezvous with additional militia from the Carolinas and Georgia. In the resulting Battle of Kings Mountain, October 7, 1780, American riflemen killed Ferguson which resulted in the surrender of his men. The battle played an important role leading up to the latter stages of the Revolution, setting in motion a chain of events that led to American Victory at Yorktown in 1781.
Erected 2009 by Fort Chiswell Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism
Location. 36° 35.626′ N, 82° 11.072′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. Marker is on Shelby Street east of 7th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk near the northwest corner of the old Bristol Post Office and Custom House building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 620 Shelby Street, Bristol TN 37620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Isaac Shelby Marker • wide view (Old Bristol Post Office & Custom House in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 247 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
